Sermons on Olive Tree:

Taking The Ho Hum Out Of Heaven Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Nov 25, 2009

A clear glimpse of the heaven God has promised will stir us with anticipation of the future and change the way we live in the present.

Title: Taking the Ho Hum Out of Heaven Text: Revelation 21:1-5 Thesis: A clear glimpse of the heaven God has promised will stir us with anticipation of the future and change the way we live in the present. Series: The Bible in 90 Days Whole Church Challenge In the first chapter of the bible God ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sons, Sin, Swine, And Starving Souls

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 28, 2009

World Hunger Sunday: The younger son found that physical hunger starved his soul; the elder son found that spiritual hunger hardened his heart; the Father hungers for all of his children’s needs.

When I read the Gospels, I know that Jesus must have been a Baptist, and the twelve disciples must have been the Deacons of the First Baptist Church of Galilee. Must have been! Do you know why? Because there is all this talk about eating! Everywhere you turn in the Gospels, there are stories ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Christmas Beatitude

Contributed by Bradley Kellum on Dec 2, 2009

It’s the 9th beatitude; the Christmas beatitude. We never hear it from Jesus’ lips but from Paul’s pen. What is it? It’s Acts 20:35!

This past week my wife Nicole and I were out finishing some last minute Christmas shopping. I was driving and she was riding in the passenger seat. All of a sudden, out of nowhere my wife blurts out, “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.” She said, “I love giving way more than receiving. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:35

Denomination: Baptist

Questioning Christ

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Dec 9, 2009

John the Baptist has some pointed questions for Jesus, and sometimes, so do we. How does God respond to us in our times of weakness and disappointent with him?

Luke 7:18-28 The Perfect Plan. Anne and I had a perfect plan last weekend. It involved new window shades for the windows on our staircase. It was a plan that was a long time in the making. For months, Anne lurked in the tall grass of the internet. Waiting for the perfect storm of sale price ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:18-28

Denomination: Lutheran

Getting The Job Done

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Dec 10, 2009

If we want to really connect with God’s plan, we need 3 essential elements: heart, interaction, and spirit.

Getting the Job Done Intro: Last week in the state of the church address we talked about the 5 main purposes of the church and the job God has called us to do. He wants us to help people find out who He really is and help them learn to love and obey Him. In any job it helps to have the right ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Heading Toward Christmas Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 13, 2009

Since we’re heading toward Christmas I think we should be: thinking, taking, and talking.

INTRO.- ILL.- An ill-prepared college student taking an economics exam just before Christmas vacation wrote on his paper. “Only God knows the answers to these questions. Merry Christmas!” The professor graded the papers and wrote this note: “God gets 100, you get 0. Happy New Year!” That ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-36

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Deadly Virus

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 3, 2010

Sin is not excused by good works, and unrepentant self-indulgence is destructive. Sexual integrity is not just a private matter; how we handle it will determine what happens with our church.

This has the potential for being the shortest sermon I’ve ever done. At first glance, it seems all I need to do with this text is to praise the church for doing so well, declare myself to be against sin, and wrap it up. The shortest sermon I’ve ever done, and maybe the shortest on record! Anybody ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29

Denomination: Baptist

The Gift Goes On

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jan 4, 2010

Since we are adopted we have a responsibility to promote adoption.

“The Gift Goes On” Several years ago the Kalamazoo Public Schools made the national news with the announcement of The Kalamazoo Promise. As you may know, some generous anonymous donors gifted large sums of money to establish a fund that would provide students educated in the Kalamazoo Public ...read more

Scripture: James 1:27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Do You Gossip?

Contributed by Donnie De Loney on Jan 9, 2010

Most Christians don't take the sin of gossip seriously. Here is what the Word says about it.

The Sin Of Gossip Proverbs 11:13 “13A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence. You and I don't take the sin of gossip as seriously as we ought. Gossiper or Encourager? Do you remember an Olympic skier by the name of Picabo Street. Picabo ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 11:13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Fearless Fidelity

Contributed by Ken Pell on Oct 4, 2010

The resurrection of Jesus Christ empowers his followers to live lives of faith with boldness and confidence.

FEARLESS FIDELITY Revelation 8:1 – 9:21 Sermon Objective: The resurrection of Jesus Christ empowers his followers to live lives of faith with boldness and confidence. Supporting Scripture: Psalm 118:1-9, Matthew 10:27-28, 2 Corinthians 4:3-5, 2 Timothy 1:7, Hebrews 13:5-6 Albrecht Dürer ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

How To Be Angry Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Oct 18, 2010

Looking at Paul's words to help us understand anger.

Ephesians 4:26-5:2 Anger - Part 2 January 10, 2010 Last week we began talking about anger and my plan was to talk about anger in more practical terms this week . . . how do we recognize anger and how to deal with anger . . . and more. But I want to move in a different, but practical direction ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:26-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Aug 3, 2010

An overview of the unseen spiritual world: where angels and demons come from, why their here, and what we need to now about them.

SERIES: ANGELS and DEMONS (adapted from a series of the same name by James Merritt) “THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY” SELECTED SCRIPTURE OPEN This morning, we start a new sermon series called, Angels and Demons. Over the next four weeks, we’re going to look at what the Bible has to say ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Biblical Balance Sheet Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Aug 17, 2010

God offers riches to satiate every desire for those who let go of their trash.

Scripture Introduction Those of us born prior to 1970 will appreciate the article, Math Tests through the Decades in Reader’s Digest: • 1960s test: “A logger cuts and sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is four-fifths of that amount. What is his profit?” • 1970s ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:3-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How To Make Sure Your Faith Shows

Contributed by Monty Newton on Aug 29, 2010

The Christian life is something we do. We express our faith in how we live.

Title: How to Make Sure Your Faith Shows Text: Hebrews 13:1-6 Thesis: The Christian life is something you do. We express our faith through how we live. Introduction: I was listening to a well known broadcasting personality going off on how we should not let anyone tell us what to think or ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Getting The Most From Your Job

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Sep 2, 2010

Let’s think about how to get more out of life and our work. 1- Put more into it 2- Always be considerate of others 3- Realize who your real boss is

INTRO.- ILL.- Freddie was eighteen years old, friendly, and eager to do things right. Unfortunately, he wasn’t especially bright. He had just started his first job, as a delivery boy and general gofer at a furniture warehouse. His first task was to go out for coffee. He walked into a nearby ...read more

Scripture: John 5:17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ